Written by Mark Driskill:
Thursday January 20, 2011
Read Acts 5:17-21

“But the high priest rose up… filled with jealousy…”

Whenever the kingdom of God moves forward you can always expect a counter move from the kingdom of darkness. Out of the tragedy of Ananias and Sapphira the church rose up filled with the Holy Spirit and many were healed, delivered and saved. But then there was a counter move.

While the church rose up in the fullness of the Spirit the high priest also rose up filled with jealousy. Whenever you rise filled with the Holy Spirit don’t be surprised if the devil prompts someone to oppose you filled with some evil thing like jealousy, fear, selfish ambition etc. Write it down. When you move out for God the devil will oppose you. But here is where many of us mess up. We think opposition from the devil means we should back down.

I have heard people say we should not rebuke the devil or get involved in casting out evil spirits because, “you don’t want to stir up the devil.” That’s like telling the police, “Don’t go out on patrol today because you may stir up a criminal.” How foolish to think our job as Christians is to remain safe by not seeking to advance the kingdom. So I suppose we should just do all we can to make Satan feel comfortable so he won’t oppose us. Sorry but that is not what I see Jesus and His Apostles doing. In first John it says Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He told his followers, “heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received. Freely give.” When you step out to further the kingdom of God in any way you can expect the devil to oppose you. But when that happens the trick is to rise up in faith and love in order to overcome like the apostles did.

We see that the high priest had Peter and John arrested. Did they quit? Did they tone it down? No. An angel came and delivered them and the next morning they were found teaching in the streets! They rose up in the midst of opposition and stepped up the game a notch. That is what we must do. When the enemy tries to arrest your activity in Christ just stand in faith until deliverance comes, then get back out there and keep doing the work God called you to do. You have the victory but you have to walk in it. Stand in the authority of Jesus Christ and refuse to back down. Remember “They overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony and because they loved not their lives unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.